Harry Kane to finish ahead of Diego Costa as Premier League top scorer and win Young Player of the Year, study shows

The Independent has teamed up with the makers of Football Manager to simulate how the final few games will unfold and they show the Tottenham striker edging ahead of his Chelsea rival

Diego Costa and Harry Kane (GETTY IMAGES)

It might seem as if this season couldn't get any better for Harry Kane, but research predicts he will end the season as the Premier League's top scorer and win the Young Player of the Season award.

The Tottenham striker is currently tied with Diego Costa on 19 goals, but with the Chelsea hit-man struggling with injury, it's predicted he will move ahead to 25 goals with Costa finishing with 23.

The prediction is based on a simulation run by Sports Interactive, makers of the Football Manager series of video games.

Despite Kane scoring another six in the league during Tottenham's final eight matches, it won't be enough to fire Spurs into the top four. Those places will be taken by Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United. Tottenham will end the campaign in seventh.

With the title going to Chelsea, Eden Hazard is predicted to win the Football of the Year award according to the simulation.

Eden Hazard (GETTY IMAGES)

Football Manager uses a vast database - compiled by approximately 1,000 researchers across the world (including real-life scouts) - to blend reality and fiction. So impressive is the information that it has become a tool used by real life managers. The painstakingly detailing simulation of club management, which allows players to control every aspect of a manager's role, from scouting new player to tactics and training, has sold millions of copies worldwide.

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